The Rev. Robert Ballinger

Singer, song writer, guitarist and pianist Rev. Robert Ballinger was born in Cincinatti, Ohio in 1921 and worked first in Detroit then Chicago where he came to the attention of Chess in 1955. Chess recorded his gospel music and preaching. In 1963 he moved to the Duke/Peacock company where he continued a successful gospel music recording career. He died suddenly in late 1965 at the age of 43. I have not been able to locate any photographs of this artiste.

The recording on Checker 1017 by “James Dixon” was the subject of a legal action against Chess by Duke/Peacock Records of Houston, who alleged that the recording was by the Rev. Robert Ballinger, who was at the time under contract to them.

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Chuck Berry

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